Two guards injured from shots in piracy attack off Benin

Earlier this week, Luxembourg informed that five pirates with guns attacked the product tanker ST Marseille at an anchorage off Cotonou, Benin. The pirates boarded the ship, and two guards were injured from gunshots.

The pirates approached the anchored tanker in a speed boat and once they boarded the vessel they started firing and injured one of the Benin navy guards onboard the tanker.

All of the crewmember except the OOW on the bridge retreated into the citadel. As the armed pirates made their way to the bridge they fired upon and injured another Navy Guard. They took hostage the OOW and demanded the Master, Chief Officer and Chief Engineer to come on the bridge.

They then demanded the Master lift the anchor but when they were notified that the tanker was in ballast they stole crew properties, kidnapped the Master and one engineer and left the vessel in the tankers rescue boat.

The Benin Navy was notified to medivac the injured guards. Once the armed persons were safely ashore they released the Master and engineer who were able to contact with the local police and later joined the tanker.